Granderson is a Yank!

The Yankees today completed a trade that will put All-Star CF Curtis Granderson in pinstripes for the next few years. The Yanks traded Austin Jackson and Phil Coke to the Tigers and Ian Kennedy to the Diamondbacks to complete the deal. An earlier trade that would have included Michael Dunn was nixed by the Yanks. In Granderson the Yanks get a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium, and a gamer who hurt his numbers by trying to play through injuries the last season and a half or so. Granderson's fielding seems to have suffered as a result. Granderson's other big flaw has been his ability, or lack thereof , to hit lefties. Hopefully, Kevin Long can help him with that. He's a great baserunner and a great clubhouse guy. He will rake like a mad man in YS.


What the Yanks gave up: Austin Jackson, who we talked about here the other day, is a 22 year old CF who was going to start a second season in AAA. Austin hasn't shown power in awhile, but that may have been a result of swing changes they made this passed season, and getting used to a different approach. The Yanks thought his power would eventually come. He could still turn out to be an all-star, but maybe not.


Ian Kennedy, is a quality RHP with underrated stuff. They may be sellling low on him. He missed most of 2009 with an aneurysm in his throwing arm. He came back to look good after his surgery, and the DBacks, definitely got to see him in the Arizona Fall League. The question is, did anyone else want him in any of the trades the Yanks were considering? And would he have had a chance to pitch in the big leagues with the Yanks this year? We'll have to see what else happens.


Phil Coke is a flakey lefty, who was abused this year, and developed a nasty habit of giving up homers.


In all, I like this deal and am very excited about what I think Granderson can do in pinstripes. We'll have to see what else happens this offseason and if we've foregone any better opportunities by making this deal. Btw, the dollars are reasonable, and we can take a little off for the 3 players on the 40 that we are sending out.


Now let's see what we do about pitching and maybe getting another bat. Go Yanks!